VMFA(AW)-115
| Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 | |
|---|---|
VMFA-115 insignia
|
|
| Active | July 1, 1943–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Fighter/Attack |
| Role |
Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
| Part of |
Marine Aircraft Group 31 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort |
| Nickname(s) | Silver Eagles Joe's Jokers Able Eagles (Korea and Vietnam) Blade (callsign) |
| Tail Code | VE |
| Mascot(s) | Eagle |
| Engagements |
World War II *Philippines campaign (1944–45) Korean War *Attack on the Sui-ho Dam Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom *2003 invasion of Iraq |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | LtCol. Shannon M. Brown |
| Executive Officer | Maj. Meyer |
| Sergeant Major | SgtMaj. Daniel D. Moore Jr. |
| Notable commanders |
Maj. Joe Foss |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter |
F4U-1/FG-1D Corsair (1943-49) F9F-2/4 Panther (1949-57) F4D-1 Skyray (1957-64) F-4 Phantom II (1964-85) F/A-18A/A+/A++ Hornet (1985–present) |
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 (VMFA-115) is a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Officially nicknamed the "Silver Eagles" and on occasion Joe's Jokers after their first commanding officer Major Joe Foss, the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW). The squadron has seen combat during World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars and has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with a final deployment in 2008 to Al Asad Airbase in western Iraq. The Squadron radio callsign is "Blade"
Intercept and destroy enemy aircraft under all-weather conditions and attack and destroy surface targets.
Marine Fighting Squadron 115 (VMF-115) was organized on July 1, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, California, as a F4U Corsair squadron. One of the Marine Corps most famous aces, Major Joseph Foss assumed command 16 days later. The squadron gained the nickname "Joe's Jokers", and in May 1944 joined the Pacific campaign. VMF-115 was a contributor to the American victory in the Philippines providing close air support, fighter cover, and deep air strikes in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. With over 18,000 flight hours during 5,856 combat sorties, VMF-115 was credited with shooting down 6½ enemy aircraft while losing 28 aircraft with nine pilots killed in action.
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